Ah sweet memories. I worked on this aircraft for a short time whilst it was at Chatham.

According to my diary for 1989 (yes, still got it!) Brian Taylor (ex-Rynair) called me on Friday 30 June 1989 and requested by attendance at Chatham the next morning (viz Saturday). There seemed to be some link with the CAA and problems with the electrical system.

Saturday, 1st July entry records meeting with Peter Smith, Denis Dearlove and Edward Hulton, the then owner. and indeed I had to investigate some problems with the electrical system. Seem to remember that I came up with some recommendations of various jobs that need doing in order to make the CAA happy. The aircraft was still on the slipway then, but was due to hit the water very shortly afterwards.

The next entry shows that I was at Chatham on Tuesday 25th July. Seem to remember going out in the harbour that day and then did some related work back in the office on 31 July.

The aircraft (ML814, Islander) was then in Ryanair colours and was registered G-BJHS. I still have some photographs of it.

It is worth reading Peter Smith’s “The Last Flying Boat”, still available on Amazon this morning.

After Chatham it moved to Calshot, Southampton Water, before being ferried out to Kermit Weeks in Florida

I hope that above helps.

Desmond Norman – BN-1, Islander, Firecraker (piston and turbine), Fieldmaster, Nymph and Freelance. And I think I am right in saying he always did the first flight on type himself.

Now that IS commitment.

Spitfire dimensions are, or certainly were, all Imperial, i.e inches and feet. None of this metric rubbish!

As far as the material thickness etc is concerned – could depend on the mark for one thing. And then it is detailed in ‘SWG’.

Copies of a very large number of the original drawings are available at the RAF Museum, Hendon. If you want to make virtually anything for a Spitfire you will need the services of a very good sheet metal worker.

Enjoy.

Please see the Isle of Wight, Sandown, website eghn.org.uk for regular updates including the airfield status, the report on the official opening of Carla’s Café and the current news regarding the provision of fuel. And not forgetting the newly installed webcam.

Carla has now introduced a new full menu and all are welcome to sample the fine food available.

See you there!!

ADVANCE NEWS:

As you will know from your recent visit to Sandown (you haven’t, why) Carla and the famous range of Bacon Baps are now located in the permanent building alongside the Tower. And, on SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER at 1100 hrs, this new abode will be officially opened by a very special guest.

As soon as more information is available it will be posted. Meanwhile please keep an eye on the airport website at http://www.eghn.org.uk

See you there. No excuses, and don’t be late.

PLEASE:

For the sanity of the poor person who has been allocated the telephone number previously used by Sandown Airport (ending …125), please note that the correct number is:

+44 (0) 1983 716 926

This number has only been introduced in the past few months, so please check anything that may have the wrong number

Thanks